Develop your ability to discern right from wrong with English proverbs on virtue and vice.
7 topics65 words
Importance of Morality & Virtue12 words
you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villainsentenceused to suggest that success and power can corrupt even the most virtuous or heroic individuals, leading them to abandon their principles
better a good cow than a cow of a good kindsentenceused to emphasize the value of personal qualities and virtues over one's family background or social status
do right and fear no mansentenceused to suggest that if a person always acts with honesty, integrity, and morality, they have nothing to fear from others
fair play is a jewelsentenceused to imply that honesty, justice, and integrity in competition or conflict are highly valued and considered precious
he lives long who lives wellsentenceused to emphasize that the quality of one's life is more important than the quantity of years lived, as a good and virtuous life is more fulfilling and leads to a longer and happier life
hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evilsentenceused to encourage people to avoid negativity and harmful behavior toward others, focusing on positivity and refraining from spreading gossip or harmful information
there is honor (even|) among thievessentenceused to suggest that even those with questionable morals may have a sense of honor and loyalty among themselves, highlighting the unexpected bonds that can form between individuals
virtue is its own rewardsentenceused to imply that the satisfaction of doing the right thing is a reward in itself and that people should strive to act with honor and integrity in all aspects of life
it is ill waiting for dead men's shoessentenceused to warn against relying on an inheritance or waiting for someone else's misfortune before pursuing personal goals, encouraging people to take action toward achieving success
a clean conscience makes a soft pillowsentenceused to suggest that a person who has acted with honesty, integrity, and morality can rest easy and feel at ease with themselves
a clear conscience is a sure cardsentenceused to imply that having a clear conscience, free from guilt or wrongdoing, can be a valuable asset in life
an honest man's pillow is his peace of mindsentenceused to suggest that having a clear conscience and living with integrity can bring a sense of security and inner peace
Immorality & Abuse8 words
honor and profit lie not in one sacksentenceused to suggest that it is difficult to achieve both financial success and maintain a high level of moral or ethical standards at the same time
make yourself all honey and the flies will devour yousentenceused to suggest that some people might take advantage of those who are very kind, gentle, or always willing to please others
if your friend is honey, do not lick him thoroughlysentenceused to warn against taking advantage of a friend's kindness or generosity to the point of overindulgence or exploitation
he that will steal an egg will steal an oxsentenceused to imply that a person who is willing to commit a small act of dishonesty or theft is likely to commit more significant acts
corporations have neither bodies to be punished, nor souls to be damnedsentenceused to imply that corporations may be able to engage in unethical or immoral behavior without facing the same consequences as individuals who engage in similar behavior
it (sure|) is easy to find a stick to beat a dogsentenceused to suggest that it is easy to find fault or criticize someone, especially someone vulnerable, even if they have done nothing wrong or the fault is minor
all lay loads on a willing horsesentenceused to suggest that people tend to take advantage of those who are generous and willing to help, often without considering their own responsibilities or limitations
lying a little and stealing a little will get you nicely through the worldsentenceused to suggest that dishonesty and theft can be useful strategies for achieving success
Corruption10 words
money (often|) unmakes the men who make itsentenceused to emphasize the negative impacts of wealth on an individual's character and values, as it can lead to greed, selfishness, and a loss of moral values
the nearer the church, the (farther|further) from Godsentenceused to suggest that excessive focus on religious institutions or practices can lead to a loss of true spiritual connection or faith
the devil dances in empty pocketssentenceused to imply that financial distress or poverty can lead to desperation and immoral behavior
muck and money (often|) go togethersentenceused to suggest that financial success and wealth often come with a price, and that one may need to engage in unpleasant or unethical activities to achieve it
ill-gotten gains (shall|) never prospersentenceused to emphasize that any wealth or success obtained through dishonest or unethical means is unlikely to last or bring true happiness
where there is muck there is brasssentenceused to imply that there is often money to be made in unpleasant or undesirable tasks or situations
a bribe will enter without knockingsentenceused to imply that bribery can allow someone to bypass rules, regulations, and laws that are meant to ensure fairness and accountability
a thief passes for a gentleman when stealing has made him richsentenceused to imply that wealth and success can sometimes mask a person's immoral or criminal behavior, making them appear respectable or honorable
everyone has (their|a) pricesentenceused to imply that people can be influenced by money or incentives, and may compromise their ethics or integrity if the price is high enough
ill-gotten, ill-spentsentenceused to suggest that money or other gains obtained through dishonest or unethical means are likely to be wasted or used inappropriately
Hypocrisy & Pretense8 words
people who live in glass houses should not throw stonessentenceused to imply that people should avoid pointing out faults in others if they themselves have similar or worse faults
physician, heal thyselfsentenceused to suggest that before trying to address or correct the faults of others, a person should first focus on addressing their own shortcomings and improving themselves
a honey tongue, a heart of gallsentenceused to suggest that sweet talk or flattery may be used to manipulate or deceive others, emphasizing the need to be cautious of those who use such tactics
barking dog (never|seldom) bitessentenceused for saying that someone who makes a lot of noise or threats is unlikely to act upon them with any real harm or action
be what you would seem to besentenceused to suggest that a person should act in a way that is consistent with the image they want to project to others, emphasizing the importance of being authentic in one's behavior
do as I say (and|,) not as I dosentenceused to advise others to follow the speaker's advice or instructions, even if the speaker does not set a good example by following them
empty vessels make the most (noise|sound)sentenceused to imply that those who are least knowledgeable or skilled tend to be the most talkative, while the more knowledgeable ones are often quieter
full of courtesy, full of craftphraseused to suggest that the person's apparent politeness and charm may be used as a means to achieve their own interests or objectives
Truth & Deception10 words
cats hide their clawssentenceused to suggest that individuals may conceal their true power, skills, or motives, acting in a seemingly harmless or innocent manner while keeping their true nature or abilities hidden
cheaters never win (and|,) winners never cheatsentenceused to imply that cheating or cutting corners may lead to short-term gains, but in the long run, it is not a sustainable or effective strategy for achieving success
cheats (shall|) never prospersentenceused to imply that dishonest or unethical behavior ultimately leads to failure or negative consequences
children and fools (both|) tell the truthsentenceused to suggest that children and fools, who may lack social filters or awareness of consequences, are more likely to speak the truth without pretense or deceit
no truth, no crownsentenceused to emphasize that honesty, integrity, and adherence to moral principles are essential for achieving and maintaining success, respect, and authority
(tell|speak) the truth and shame the devilsentenceused to urge people to be honest, even if it may not be to their advantage, in order to expose and defeat dishonesty or wrongdoing
common fame is seldom to blamesentenceused to suggest that widely held opinions or reputations are often based on some level of truth or accuracy, but it does not necessarily imply that negative opinions are always justified or deserved
honesty is the best policysentenceused to emphasize that it is always better to tell the truth, even if it may be difficult or inconvenient
truth (often|) lies at the bottom of a wellsentenceused to imply that discovering the truth requires effort and persistence, as the truth may not be immediately apparent or easily accessible
every light is not the sunsentenceused to suggest that not everything or everyone that appears impressive or promising is truly exceptional or trustworthy
Lies7 words
it (needs|takes) a hundred lies to cover a single liesentenceused to suggest that lies are not only unethical but can also be difficult to keep track of, as they often require further lies to maintain the illusion of truth
a lie has no legssentenceused to imply that lies have no foundation or support to stand on, and will eventually be exposed or disproved
ask no questions (and|,) hear no liessentenceused to suggest that sometimes it is better to remain ignorant in order to avoid falsehoods or unpleasant truths
half the truth is often a whole liesentenceused to emphasize that intentionally withholding important or relevant information can be just as deceptive and harmful as telling an outright lie
liars need good memoriessentenceused to imply that lying can be difficult to sustain over time, as those who lie must have a good memory to keep track of their falsehoods and maintain consistency in their story
one lie makes manysentenceused to imply that telling a lie can lead to a chain of lies and deceit, as it often requires additional lies or cover-ups to maintain the initial falsehood
a lie can travel (halfway|) around the world while the truth is putting on its (shoes|boots)sentenceused to warn that false information can cause harm or damage even if they are later proven to be untrue, emphasizing the need to be cautious about believing or spreading unverified information
Temptations10 words
stolen kisses are (always|) the sweetestsentenceused to suggest that there is an added sense of excitement and pleasure associated with doing something that is forbidden or taboo, particularly in romantic encounters
an open door may tempt a saintsentenceused to suggest that even individuals with strong moral values and principles may be susceptible to temptation and that it is important to be mindful of one's actions and choices
constant occupation prevents temptationsentenceused to emphasize the importance of staying engaged and productive in order to avoid negative or harmful behaviors or habits
the hole calls (out to|) the thiefsentenceused to suggest that an exposed weakness or vulnerability can invite or tempt individuals with malicious intent to take advantage of the situation
opportunity makes (a|the) thiefsentenceused to suggest that people who are presented with the chance to steal or commit a crime are more likely to do so, even if they would not ordinarily engage in such behavior
a moment on the lips, forever on the hipsphraseused to suggest that the pleasure of indulging in unhealthy food is only temporary, but the negative effects on our body can be long-lasting and difficult to reverse
away goes (the devil|evil) when he finds the door shut against himsentenceused to suggest that by resisting negative influences and temptations, one can prevent them from causing harm or leading to negative consequences
the forbidden fruit is the sweetestsentenceused to suggest that things that are forbidden or unattainable often appear more desirable and tempting
resist the devil, and he will flee from yousentenceused to encourage individuals to exercise self-control and discipline in order to resist temptations and negative influences that may lead to harmful actions or behaviors
wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive wordssentenceused to suggest that wisdom can protect a person from the tempting and dishonest words of a woman who is often not faithful
Learn all 65 words in this list with spaced repetition